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JEFFERSON CITY, MO - The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is hosting a meeting on Jan. 7, 2019 for the public to submit comments in regards to the release of the public comment version of the Bridgeton Public Health Consultation. This meeting was originally scheduled on Nov. 15 but was rescheduled due to inclement weather.

The DHSS Jan. 7 public meeting will be held at the Bridgeton Banquet Center, 12259 Natural Bridge Road, Bridgeton, MO 63044. The meeting will begin with a come-and-go format availability session from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. A formal presentation lasting about 30 minutes will follow at 6:30 p.m. followed by community comments until closing at 8:30 p.m.

Bridgeton Landfill is a solid waste landfill located within the boundaries of the West Lake Landfill in the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area. Sub-surface smoldering at the landfill resulted in increased gas and odor emissions from the landfill. DHSS evaluated air data collected near Bridgeton Landfill in Bridgeton, MO, to determine the potential impacts of landfill gas emissions on people's health. The evaluated air data were collected by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 2013 to 2016. Today, the data show that chemical and odor detections have been substantially reduced.

\"There is a tremendous amount of data and scientific review that has gone into this report. Our primary goal in reviewing and reporting on the data in this report, and in the bi-weekly messages we have issued since 2013, has always been to provide clear, actionable information to the community,\" said Jonathan Garoutte, Administrator of the DHSS Section for Environmental Public Health. \"Getting direct feedback from the community helps ensure that our messages are clear. We believe that the public health consultation, and the science behind it, distinctly shows a positive improvement in the air quality around the landfill.\"

DHSS encourages individuals to read the Bridgeton Landfill Health Consultation document, make written comments, and participate in the public meeting. DHSS released the health consultation for public comment on Sept. 21. Because of the postponement and rescheduling of the public meeting, the comment period has been extended through Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. The document may be viewed at health.mo.gov/bridgeton or at the St. Louis Public Library, Bridgeton Trails Branch, 3455 McKelvey Rd, Bridgeton, MO. Written public comments may be sent by email to BridgetonComments@health.mo.gov or postal mail to Lorena Locke, Bureau of Environmental Epidemiology, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO, 65102. Comments need to be submitted or postmarked by Jan. 18, 2019.

About the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services: The department seeks to be the leader in protecting health and keeping people safe. More information about DHSS can be found at health.mo.gov or find us on Facebook or Twitter @HealthyLivingMO.